How It Feels To Quit Your Job And Became A One-Man Freelancer Business

I’ve been a freelance writer for about 8 years now. Before that, I worked for a big corporation, in a cubicle and everything.

Leaving my salaried job to go out on my own was by far the most rewarding thing I’ve done with my career. But it wasn’t always easy.

In this blog post, we’ll be talking about 16 of the emotions you might experience as you start your one-man freelancing business

Takeaways
Quitting your job to become a one-man freelancer business is an empowering and life-changing decision.
The transition from traditional employment to freelancing can bring a mix of emotions, ranging from excitement to uncertainty.
Freelancing offers the freedom to be your own boss, set your own schedule, and choose the projects you work on.
Building a successful freelance business requires careful planning, dedication, and continuous self-motivation.
Embracing the challenges and learning from setbacks can lead to personal growth and professional success as a freelancer.
Establishing a strong network, nurturing client relationships, and consistently delivering high-quality work are vital for long-term success.
Freelancing provides an opportunity to pursue your passions, explore new skills, and create a fulfilling career path on your terms.
Balancing work-life integration and maintaining self-discipline are essential for sustainable success in the freelance world.
Constantly adapting to market trends, expanding your skillset, and staying updated with industry developments are crucial for staying competitive.
Enjoying the journey, celebrating milestones, and taking care of your well-being are essential for a fulfilling and sustainable freelance career.

Exciting

I think the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of being a freelancer is excitement. The freedom, the flexibility, and the opportunities it gives you are just some of the things that make freelancing an exciting experience for me.

The first time I quit my job was because I wanted to try something different in life; I wanted a change from being stuck in an office environment where there weren’t any opportunities for growth or learning new skills.

 As cliché as it sounds, every day at work felt like Groundhog Day (the movie). The same routine would play out every day: wake up early in the morning, go to work, eat lunch at your desk then head home after eight hours of sitting at your desk doing nothing else but working on projects or paperwork (and maybe taking 5 minutes off here and there).

Before taking the leap and quitting your day job, it’s essential to consider various factors and potential challenges. Explore our comprehensive guide on 13 Things to Consider Before You Quit Your Day Job to make an informed decision and set yourself up for success.

Terrifying

It is terrifying. You are taking a risk and you are not sure if it will work out for you or not. You’re not even sure if you can do it or whether anyone needs what you have to offer. Some days, I’m convinced that I’m an idiot for quitting my job at a tech startup and trying to become a freelance writer instead.

One day, I’ll look back on this decision as one of the best moments in my life when everything just fell into place and worked out perfectly (probably), but right now it’s scary as hell!

Nerve-Racking

The second thing you will feel is nervousness. You are going to be nervous about how you’re going to do it and what the future holds for you. 

Will I be able to pay my bills? Will I be able to find enough work? Am I going to make enough money? What if I get clients who don’t pay on time or never pay me at all? These kinds of things go through your mind when starting as a freelancer, but they don’t stop there they can haunt you for years after.

The third thing that will happen is doubt: “Did I choose the right career path?” “What if I’m not good at this?” “Is this worth it?” If anyone tells you that doubt doesn’t happen, they’re lying! It’s natural for us humans to have these thoughts now and then; the key is not letting them control our lives or hold us back from success in any way possible.

A well-crafted portfolio can significantly impact your chances of landing freelance jobs. Discover expert tips and strategies in our article on How to Make a Portfolio That Gets You the Job, and learn how to showcase your skills and attract clients effectively.

Freeing

As a freelancer, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do. You can do whatever takes your fancy at any time of day or night, and with your choice of people. If it’s late at night and raining outside, great!

That means less traffic for me on my way home from the office (or wherever). You also have the freedom to decide how you want to do it: whether that’s working with different clients simultaneously or going completely solo so that every client gets your full attention until their job is done.

And finally, as a freelancer, no one tells me where I need to be physically located I don’t have an office address or specific hours in which I am expected back at work after lunch (at least not unless my client demands this).

Liberating

Lots of people dream of quitting their jobs and starting something on their own. They want to be free to work on what they want when they want. They want the power to choose their hours and decide how much they get paid. 

The freedom to create a schedule that works just for them is alluring in itself, but there’s also the possibility of taking a vacation or traveling anywhere you, please. And then there’s being able to make your own rules that’s kind of an amazing feeling, isn’t it?

That being said, freelancing isn’t all fun and games (it’s not even close). You’re responsible for paying taxes every year which can seem like an overwhelming amount at first glance but once you’ve gotten used to it it becomes routine (and sometimes even enjoyable).

Challenging

Many challenges come with being a freelancer, but one of the biggest is dealing with all kinds of clients. Each client brings their own set of problems and issues to solve. Some get easily upset or angry when things don’t go their way. 

Others want things changed constantly just so they can see how much you’re willing to do for them (and how long it’ll take). Some clients will lie straight-faced about their experience and skillset or even worse, they’ll try to resolve the issue themselves without your help!

I’ve had my fair share of difficult clients over the years. One particular client was so unreasonable that after I’d finished working on his project (and he was satisfied), he tried to get me back by offering me more work at half price!

Freelancing doesn’t have to be a constant struggle; in fact, there are moments when it becomes surprisingly effortless. Experience the joy of freelancing with our article, The Moment When Freelancing Isn’t Hard at All, and discover how to find your flow and enjoy the journey.

Frustrating

As you’re going through this process, keep in mind that there will be times when you feel frustrated. You’ll go through periods where it feels like nothing is working out and you can’t find a solution to your problems.

You might start to doubt yourself and wonder if you’re good enough. You may begin to get anxious about not learning anything new or growing in any way. In these moments, remind yourself that this is part of the process you are learning how to run a freelancing business!

Anxiety-Inducing

In the initial weeks of your transition, and anxiety-inducing period will likely ensue. Anxiety is a normal part of the process. However, it’s important to know when it’s time to seek help.

Anxiety can be caused by any number of things: stress, fear, and uncertainty surrounding your decision to go solo; lack of structure in your daily routine; or even just general self-doubt about being able to succeed as a freelancer (or anything else). 

With so many variables at play during this transitional period, it may seem hard for someone going through this experience alone to identify exactly what’s causing them anxiety at any given moment. But identifying those triggers early on is key if you want your transition into freelancing life smooth sailing from start to finish!

Insanely Stressful

This is the worst part about being a one-man show: you have to do everything yourself. 

There’s no one to delegate tasks to, there are no co-workers to help out with difficult situations or tasks, and there’s no one who can take over if you need time off (except maybe your spouse or partner). You have to be your boss, accountant, marketer, and lawyer all at once.

When I started my company in 2016 as a one-man show freelancer business I thought it would be fun working on projects with different clients every day. But after 6 months into it, I was burned out from having so many responsibilities in my life without any help whatsoever from others around me…

Overwhelming

Overwhelming. That’s how it felt to me when I quit my job and became a one-man freelancer business.

Throughout my life, I had been working in organizations or teams where collaboration was a given and where you could rely on your team members’ knowledge and skills to get things done. 

But now, as a freelancer, those resources were gone. I had to learn new technical skills like coding, web design, and social media marketing all by myself. 

And then there were the non-technical ones: finding clients who would buy my services; creating proposals that would convince them; pitching myself in interviews for freelance jobs; managing projects without being able to consult with coworkers about how best to proceed.

Freelancing is more than just a side gig for many individuals; it can become a full-fledged career. Explore why Freelancing Isn’t a Side Gig and What You Need to Know If It Is Your Main Income in our informative article, and gain valuable insights into the commitment and mindset required for freelancing success.

Fun

As a freelancer, you have the freedom to do what you want when you want. And because of this, some of the best things about being self-employed are the opportunities for personal growth and development.

When I started my career as a freelance writer, I had no idea that I would be able to pursue my passions in ways that I never thought possible. 

At my last full-time job with an advertising agency, working on marketing campaigns for companies like Samsung and Coca Cola was exciting but it wasn’t something that made me jump out of bed in the morning excited to go to work (and if it did give me those feelings then those were long gone by 2 pm).

As soon as I decided to take control of my future and become a freelance writer instead of sitting around waiting for someone else’s approval or validation, everything changed overnight.

Suddenly I was doing work that made me feel good about myself again; suddenly there was the purpose behind everything I did; suddenly there were no limits placed on what could happen next.

Rewarding

You have to admit that the feeling of being your boss, controlling your destiny, and not having to answer to anyone is pretty awesome. You can do what you love and earn money at it. You can set your hours and work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.

You can make a difference in the world by helping people solve their problems or simply make their lives easier through the software that you created. The possibilities are endless once you decide to go solo and become a one-man freelancer business (and if I may say so myself).

Balancing a full-time job with freelance writing can be challenging, but it’s possible with the right strategies. Discover practical tips and techniques in our article on How I Maintain a Full-Time Job and Freelance Writing Without Losing My Mind, and learn how to manage your time, energy, and creative output effectively.

Dangerous

You are responsible for your income. This means that you cannot blame anyone else for your mistakes. There is no one else to take the blame, so if you make a mistake, it’s on you. You have to be accountable for your actions and learn from those mistakes. 

Another important thing about being in control of your money is that it takes away some of the stress when things aren’t going well at work (e.g., being laid off). It also makes being an entrepreneur less risky because if things don’t work out as planned, no one will fire me or ask me to leave my job I am firing myself!

Unexpectedly Wonderful

Quit your job. Start a business. It’s a big move, so it’s only natural that there will be some unexpected developments along the way. 

The most important thing you can do is stay flexible and open-minded about those things that are unexpected because sometimes the unexpected can be wonderful. But it can also be bad or both good and bad at once. 

So don’t let yourself get too attached to any specific outcome or reaction when something new pops up; just roll with it as best you can and make sure to keep an eye out for whatever comes next!

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that going freelance is an intense process, but I’m glad I did it. It wasn’t until after I quit my job that I realized how much stress and anxiety it caused me.

The freedom of being a freelancer has been worth every minute of effort, and even though there are still times when things get tough, the upside is worth every minute.

With all this said if you’re thinking about going freelance in the next few months and have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on quitting your job and transitioning to freelance work:

Peak Freelance: Quit Your Job to Freelance – Are You Ready?Explore this insightful blog post that delves into the readiness factors you should consider before quitting your job to pursue a freelance career.

Sarah Tamsin: Why I Quit My JobDive into Sarah Tamsin’s personal account of why she decided to quit her job and gain valuable insights into the thought process behind such a significant career change.

The Post-Grad Survival Guide: Why I Quit My Permanent Job to Become a Full-Time FreelancerDiscover the firsthand experience of someone who made the leap from a permanent job to freelancing full-time, and gain insights into the motivations and challenges associated with this transition.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about quitting a job and becoming a full-time freelancer:

How do I know if I’m ready to quit my job and start freelancing?

Transitioning to freelancing requires careful consideration. Evaluate your financial stability, the demand for your freelance skills, and your readiness to manage the uncertainties of self-employment.

What are the key factors to consider before quitting my job to become a freelancer?

Some important factors to consider include financial preparedness, building a client base, developing a strong skillset, understanding the risks involved, and having a backup plan.

How can I financially prepare myself before quitting my job to freelance?

It’s crucial to create a financial cushion by saving money, reducing debt, and having a clear understanding of your expected income and expenses as a freelancer.

How do I build a client base as a freelancer?

Building a client base involves networking, leveraging online platforms, showcasing your portfolio and expertise, and consistently delivering high-quality work to establish a strong reputation.

What are some challenges I may face when transitioning from a permanent job to full-time freelancing?

Common challenges include irregular income, managing multiple clients and projects, self-discipline and time management, securing consistent work, and navigating the administrative aspects of running a freelance business.

Why Did You Decide To Quit Your Job And Become A Freelancer?

I was working in a company where I learned a lot but the problem was that there were not many projects and they were very small projects. The salary was not enough to cover my expenses and I knew that if I continued like this, it would be a problem for me financially.

How Did You Feel The Day Before Quitting Your Job?

I felt good. I knew that I would be able to start something new, even though it wasn’t easy at first because I had no clients at all! But after some time, things got better for me and now I have more clients than ever before!

What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge Since Quitting Your Job?

The biggest challenge for me was not having any customers or clients when I started as a freelancer! But once again, patience helped me overcome this issue, and today, things are going much better than before!

Where Do I Get The Inspiration To Start My Business?

You can take a trip down memory lane and remember when you were a kid and how much fun it was to play around on your own. It’s time to bring that joy back into your life.

How Do I Make Sure My Business Is Successful?

You just need to be honest with yourself, because if you’re not honest with yourself, who will be? You have to know what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, what works for you, and what doesn’t. It’s all about learning from past experiences and taking risks with new opportunities.

What Should I Do If I’m Feeling Overwhelmed By All Of This?

Try taking a break from work for a few days or even weeks you may find that when you come back refreshed and ready to tackle things head-on, it will all seem much simpler than before.

How Do I Become A Successful Freelancer?

There are many ways to be successful as a freelancer, but the most important thing is to have a good portfolio of work that you can show prospective clients. It’s also important to be able to communicate well with your clients, so always make sure you have good communication skills and can work well with others.

How Do I Get Clients?

The best way to get clients is by networking with other freelancers in your area and offering them your services at a discounted rate in exchange for referrals. You can also advertise on social media or in local newspapers if you don’t know any other freelancers personally.

How Much Money Can I Make As A Freelancer?

The amount of money you make as a freelancer depends on what type of freelance job you take on, but generally speaking, most freelancers earn between $20-$50 per hour depending on their experience level and location (higher-paying cities like New York City tend to attract more high-paying jobs than smaller cities like San Francisco).

What Is The Best Way To Get Clients?

You can start by doing the job yourself and then ask for feedback from your client. You can also do a little research online and see what kind of services people are looking for. Then you can create a website and start promoting yourself as an expert in that field. 

But keep in mind, that it will take some time for people to start coming to you for services. So don’t give up too quickly.

What Should I Do If I Have No Experience In Graphic Designing?

The best way to start is by doing small projects for yourself or some friends or family members. This will help you gain experience and build up your portfolio. Once you have an impressive portfolio, you can start applying for jobs on freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr.